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I saw a Cuckoo Hawk, sat quietly, deep in a bush next to the low water bridge near Skukuza.

This remains one of my favourite bird sightings ever. How many others have seen this beautiful raptor, as I have only seen it the once and have never met anyone else who's seen it!?

If possible, a little information on the status of the bird in knp (or an alternative park where maybe it's more common?) would be welcome - as I don't have my bird books with me over here at the moment. For example, is it a migrant? Is it common? If not, where else would you be likely to see it.

Looking through the Atlas of SA birds it looks like Kruger would definately be the best National Park to see it, although Northern KZN is probably the best area overall.
The mean reporting rate for its range was 2.3% (ie. uncommon to scarce!!) It tends to be secretive, liking woodlands, forests and riparian habitats (where you saw it). It also forages in and around dense habits - moving from tree to tree slowly - remaining characteristically still
It's resident with no seasonal movement known.
Likes Chameleons and also a few lizards, snakes and insects.

I've never seen one but it certainly would be high up my list of memorable birds if I did.

I think Gary has answered most of your questions. Kruger is a good park to find this bird but as stated it is uncommon and tricky to find. It is very similar to African Goshawk and I think often people misidentify it.
Search the trees on most of Kruger rivers and you just might get lucky. I have also heard of good sightings at Skakuza with the bird flying in the vacinity of the old train bridge.

I haven't seen the bird yet but my folks have seen it twice from the day visitor section. When they stayed at Skukuza last they went to the day visitor section first thing in the morning and that was when they saw the bird. I spoke to a guy who claimed that he had seen the bird from the river front lawn at the restaurant in Skukuza. I have not been to Skukuza for at least 4 yrs but going to LS this year and will def pop into the day visitor section to see if I can spot this one.

I must have seen the same one ...early in the morning at Pafuri picnic spot....didn't know what it was and the nicest chap who works there told me it was a Cuckoo Hawk. Had a look in our Sasol book and sure enough there was a new bird for me!!

@WTM: Well.. looking at the angle of the top branch in relation to the branch bottom right and light falling into picture I would say there's a bird in there somewhere No, seriously. I don't want to get your hopes up but it looks to me like an African Cuckoo Hawk. The grey and black bands on the tail and small crest (think that's what I see) pointed me towards ACH.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.Albert Einstein

Neil Crawford wrote:Hi, Heres a hawk from Blyde river canyon, it was first identified as African Goshawk, but on second thoughts I think it's an African Cuckoo hawk. What do you think?Sorry it's very heavily cropped./Neilhttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/222 ... db44_m.jpg

Hi Neil, an African Goshawk has barring all the way up to the throat. The bird in question here has two-toned under parts.

Only one bird has a grey throat and rufous barred breast and belly with rufous under wing coverts. And that is Cuckoo Hawk. Awesome sighting!